Page 18 of The Wrong Brother

We go to a smaller boutique-style swim shop. Mina has made comments before about envying my height but I don’t enjoy swimsuit shopping any more than she does. Everyone has something they’re self-conscious about. I’d kill for her boobs. And that has nothing to do with the stupid letter.

“Catherine, what makes you uncomfortable in a suit? And what makes you feel the most attractive.” I remember lying next to Rafferty, fitting perfectly against him, and the way he looked at my legs while treating my abrasions.Focus!

“Um, my boobs are small. Really small. And I’m a bit hippy. Ok, a lot hippy. I want something that makes those areas look good. I think I have a nice torso though and long legs. So maybe a bikini?”

We ask for help and Emily, the sweetest sales girl ever, dives in. She makes me feel comfortable immediately, a rare gift.

“The thing with smaller breasts,” she tells us, “is that you can wear tinier tops without looking grossly indecent. You look to me like a classier woman, we don’t want a suit that makes you feel trashy.”

“That’s Catherine exactly,” Mina says. I appreciate the “classy” assessment more than other things I’ve been called. Like cold. Or prude.

Emily picks out a high-waisted bikini in a soft, rosy pink. When I step out they both gasp and I freeze, instantly self-conscious.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You look crazy hot!”

I can feel myself blushing. I hate that it happens so easily. Not only am I easily embarrassed but my light skin lets everyone know immediately, bright pink cheeks making my freckles even more noticeable and a flush creeping up my chest. I step around to the mirrors to see it from all angles. I have a long torso which keeps the bottoms from being too high and the cut makes it look like I have a more-than-okay ass. The top is sexy and something I never would have picked out for myself. It has a deep scoop with the v in the very center cutting all the way to the bottom strap.

“Thank goodness those bruises and scrapes will all be healed soon. I didn’t realize you got that banged up on the hike.”

Emily fusses at my back, making adjustments while talking. “The straps are adjustable as is the back strap so we can get it to fit tight enough that you’re totally comfortable and won’t have any worries about it slipping. I can’t speak for you, but I think this is the one. You look incredible.”

“This is the one, Catherine. 100%. Pressley is going to choke on her jealousy.”

“I guess I’m buying this one. Do you have a cover-up I could wear with this? Something that I can wear sailing that will be appropriate for getting on and off the boat but hopefully makes me feel as good as this suit does.”

Emily comes through again, finding a short, gauzy wrap-style layer that is sheer enough to hint at the sexiness underneath without making me feel too brazen.

“I feel good about those purchases. Now all I need is a dress for the party. I don’t want to go overtly sexy or look like I’m trying too hard. I want to feel super confident.”

“You might think I’m crazy but I know the absolute perfect dress for you. I saw it the other day. You’ll just have to trust me.” That surprises me since Mina isn’t much of a shopper, but I do trust her so I trail behind her as she speed walks her way to the next shop.

She won’t let me inspect the dress beforehand. She marches me to the fitting room and pushes it in behind me. My sister was absolutely right though. It’s perfect. The fabric is peach with a tropical print of muted greens that remind me of Rafferty’s eyes and a brighter orange and pink. It’s soft and flows when I move. The bodice is a deep-v in the front with delicate straps that criss-cross the back, scooping down low to the waistband. Beneath the waist, the skirt falls and drapes down to my feet but there’s a surprise, super sexy slit on one side. Walking gives a glimpse of my leg, all the way up my thigh, and lots of movement.

“Oh my gosh, Meens, this is everything I wanted. I feel like a goddess in this dress!”

“I knew it! Now all you need is some super sexy heeled sandals. You’re tall, own it.” I find gold, strappy, heeled sandals that feel good on my feet. I’m excited that I can wear heels since Rafferty is so tall. Mina makes a couple of her own purchases for some date she has and we celebrate our successful and mercifully quick shopping with gelato.

“When is this all going down? Do you want me to do your makeup?”

“Yes, I’d love that. It’s in five-ish weeks. The sailing is on a Saturday morning and then the dinner party is that night. I’ll have time between to go home and get ready.”

“Are you going alone?” I’m blushing, again, and I put off answering by taking a big bite. “Catherine?”

“Um. Ok. Don’t make fun of me, but I didn’t want to go by myself. I thought being with someone would give me a buffer and maybe, as a bonus, make Pressley mad.”

“Makes sense to me. Why are you being weird about it?”

“Well…I remembered how he helped you when you were having unwanted guy problems so…I asked Rafferty.”

Mina’s stormy sea-grey eyes get wide and she looks at me as if she understands more than I’m telling her. I could do without that. I don’t even understand more than I’m telling her at this point.

“I wouldn’t make fun of you, I think Raff is a great choice. He’s going to make Pressley and Connor super jealous, you know you’ll have a good time with him, and you two will look fucking hot together!”

I breathe out loudly, relieved. “Phew. I didn’t want you to be annoyed with me.”

“There’s nothing to be annoyed about. While we’re on the subject of potential annoyances though,” Mina takes a deep breath, like she’s preparing to tell me something awful. “So, um, Catherine, I have something I should probably tell you. Should have already told you, I mean. Griffin and I are…kind of together. The date on Friday is with him.”

“Really?” I squeal and hug her, knocking the spoon out of her hand.

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